Weigela shrub named &#39;Sunset&#39;

ABSTRACT

‘Sunset’ is a new  weigela  shrub particularly distinguished by its semi-dwarf habit, and unique variegated foliage with green centers and multicolored margins ranging from and including ivory yellow, yellow, yellow-green, green, and red depending on plant age and the time of year, is disclosed.

GENUS AND SPECIES

Weigela florida

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘Sunset’

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct variety of weigela, botanically known as Weigela florida and hereinafter referred to by the variety name ‘Sunset’. ‘Sunset’ was developed and selected in Mills River, N.C. ‘Sunset’ is a chance seedling from an open-pollinated, Weigela florida designated ‘Alexandra’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,772). The first asexual propagation of ‘Sunset’ was carried out in the summer of 2004 by rooting stem cuttings in Mills River, N.C. ‘Sunset’ has been asexually reproduced repeatedly by softwood cuttings in North Carolina over a 6 year period.

‘Sunset’ roots readily from softwood cuttings from plants treated with a basal dip of 2,500 ppm indole butyric acid (potassium salt) in water. ‘Sunset’ has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics through successive asexual propagations via softwood cuttings.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this variety have not been applied for. ‘Sunset’ has not been made publicly' available or sold more than one year prior to the filing date of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new variety when grown under normal horticultural practices at in Mills River, N.C.

1. A compact, semi-dwarf shrub habit; and

2. Unique variegated foliage with green centers and multicolored margins ranging from and including ivory yellow, yellow, yellow-green, green, and red depending on age of foliage and time of year.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new weigela variety is illustrated by the accompanying photographs which show the plant's form, foliage and inflorescences. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs were taken in Mills River, N.C.

FIG. 1 shows a 1-year-old, container-grown, plant in August, 2004.

FIG. 2 shows the foliage in June, 2004 of a 1-year-old plant.

FIG. 3 shows the flowers in June, 2008 of a 5-year-old plant.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘Sunset’. The detailed description was taken on 3-year-old container-grown plants in Mills River, N.C. in July 2010. Color references are to the R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.), 2001 Edition.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

-   Classification:     -   -   Botanical name.—Weigela florida.         -   Common name.—Weigela.         -   Denomination.—‘Sunset’. -   Plant description:     -   -   Growth Habit.—Compact, semi-dwarf habit.         -   Plant shape.—Low, mounded.         -   Height at maturity.—45.0 cm.         -   Width at maturity.—65.0 cm. -   Stem:     -   -   Mature stem color.—RHS 177B.         -   Immature stem color.—RHS 45B. -   Leaves:     -   -   Type.—Deciduous.         -   Arrangement.—Alternate.         -   Shape.—Lanceolate to elliptic.         -   Apex.—Acuminate.         -   Base.—Cuneate to attenuate.         -   Margin.—Serrulate and undulate.         -   Mature leaf size.—Length: 10.0 cm Width: 4.0 cm.         -   Immature/developing leaf color.—Adaxial (upper) surface:             Variegated; central area is RHS 138A, margin ranging from             and including RHS 151C to RHS 9C, occasionally with some             diffuse RHS 143C, often flushed with RHS 180B Abaxial             (lower) surface: Variegated; central area RHS 146B, RHS,160A             margin.         -   Mature leaf color.—Adaxial (upper) surface: Generally             variegated with central area RHS 137C, margin including RHS             160A and RHS 137C; occasionally all green, RHS 137C; fall             foliage color includes a combination of RHS 180A to RHS 180C             and RHS 1D Abaxial (lower) surface: Central area is N138B,             margin is 143B; occasionally all green, RHS N138B             Mature/developed leaf texture: Adaxial (upper) surface:             Glabrous Abaxial (lower) surface: Glabrous, veins slightly             pubescent.         -   Leaf attachment.—Petiolate.         -   Petiole.—Length: 1.0 cm Width: 2.0 mm Color: RHS 142B. -   Flowers:     -   -   Type.—Single, funnelform-campanulate flowers arranged in             terminal and axillary pairs or clusters of three to four             flowers.         -   Flowering season.—Early spring through late spring; in May             in Mills River, N.C.         -   Lastingness of flowers on the plant.—6 to 8 weeks.         -   Fragrance.—Absent.         -   Length at anthesis.—Average is 3.5 cm.         -   Diameter at anthesis.—2.5 cm.         -   Color.—Initially RHS 57A; RHS 74C-D at anthesis RHS 74D post             anthesis.         -   Self-cleaning or persistent.—Self-cleaning.         -   Lobes.—Number of lobes per flower: 5 Shape: Obtuse Color:             RHS 74C to RHS 74D at anthesis Surface texture: Glabrous             (not pubescent) Length: 1.2 cm to 1.5 cm Width: 1.0 cm to             1.3 cm.         -   Sepals.—Shape: Linear/lanceolate Arrangement: Rotate Length:             9.0 mm Width: 1.0 mm Color: RHS N155B with a blush of RHS             69C Surface texture: Glabrous.         -   Calyx.—Shape: Connate Length: 11.0 mm Diameter: 6.0 mm.         -   Peduncle.—Length: 15.0 mm Diameter: 2.0 mm Color: RHS 144C             and tinged with RHS 57B. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Stamen.—Quantity per flower: 5 Anther: Shape: Ovoid Color:             RHS 155A Pollen color: RHS 155A Pollen amount: Moderate.         -   Pistil.—Quantity per flower: 1.         -   Stigma.—Shape: Globular Color: RHS 155D.         -   Style.—Length: 3.8 cm Color: RHS 155D. -   Seed: No seed have been observed. -   Disease and insect resistance: No significant disease or insect     pests have been observed.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

‘Sunset’ is distinguished from the parental variety ‘Alexandra’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,772) in that ‘Sunset’ has lanceolate to elliptic-shaped leaves and shorter penduncles (1.5 cm), while ‘Alexandra’ has elliptic to ovate/oblong-shaped leaves and longer peduncles (2.0 cm to 2.5 cm).

‘Sunset’ is distinguished from other varieties by its semi-dwarf size and unique colors of the variegated foliage. Specifically, ‘Sunset’ has an intermediate mature size that is smaller than the commercial varieties ‘Kolsunn’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,567), ‘Kolmagira’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,384), and ‘Kolmas’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,452), yet larger than ‘Verweig’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,824). ‘Sunset’ also has unique colors expressed throughout the variegated foliage that include a combination of multicolored margins that range and include ivory yellow (RHS 160A), yellow (RHS 9C and RHS 1D), yellow-green (RHS 151C), green (RHS 143C), and red (RHS 180A to RHS 180C) depending on plant age and the time of year (see Table 1 for comparison with other cultivars).

TABLE 1 Comparison of ‘Sunset’ with other varieties of weigela Variety Trait ‘Sunset’ ‘Verweig’ ‘Kolsunn’ ‘Kolmagira’ ‘Kolmas’ Plant height 45.0 cm 24.0 cm 2.0 m 86.0 cm 1.25 m Plant width 65.0 cm 40.0 cm 2.0 m 93.0 cm  1.5 m Center color of RHS 138A RHS 141A RHS 146A to RHS 139A RHS 137A developing leaves RHS 137A Margin color RHS 151C RHS 158A RHS 158A RHS 153C to RHS 1D, of developing to RHS 9C, and and RHS 58A RHS 153D RHS 180A leaves RHS 143C RHS 183A and RHS 180B RHS 185A Center color RHS 137C RHS 141A RHS 147A RHS 139A RHS 147A of mature and leaves RHS 137A Margin color RHS 160A RHS 158A, RHS 158C to RHS 151C RHS 155A of mature and RHS 183A RHS158D and and leaves RHS 137C RHS 151D, RHS 157A, RHS 163A RHS 180A and RHS N163D 

1. A new and distinct variety of weigela shrub as described and shown herein. 